Church agencies in India brace for rehabilitation after Cyclone Phailin

16 Oct. 2013: Church charities in India are preparing for a massive relief work after Cyclone Phailin left nearly 9 million people affected along the eastern coast of the country. "On the ground, there is total devastation. But, I am glad that the government did an excellent job with the massive evacuation that saved many lives," said John Shumlansky, country representative in India for the U.S. bishops' Catholic Relief Service,, CRSShumlansky told Catholic News Service – CNS, on Tuesday from eastern Orissa state that the challenges ahead are too many, with houses blown away, buildings damaged and farms under water. Phailin hit India's east coast Oct. 12 with winds of up to 120 miles per hour, devastating the coastal areas of Orissa and Andhra Pradesh states. Only about two dozen people were killed, mostly by falling trees because nearly 1 million people were evacuated by the government ahead of the cyclone. Shumlansky said "The people need to be helped to rebuild their homes and lives, and emergency relief including shelter material was distributed to 180 families.The immediate target he added is to reach out to 10,000 families with aid, including cash grants to help them buy essential items. Antony Chetri, relief work coordinator for Caritas India, told CNS that the Caritas network would provide shelter material like tarps for most needy families. Meanwhile, Babita Allick, team leader of the disaster management wing of Caritas India, told CNS that it has released $16,500 for emergency relief and assessment work for the dioceses of Berhampur and Balasore. An Orissa state official said more than 14,500 villages in 12 districts were affected, with 234,000 houses damaged in Orissa state. More than 1,200 acres of crops were destroyed by gushing waters. Source: Cns